Carnegie Museum of Art has created a new curatorial department of photography and has appointed its first head, Linda Benedict-Jones. Benedict-Jones has been the executive director of Silver Eye Center for Photography on Pittsburgh’s south side since 1999 and will assume her position at Carnegie Museum of Art on December 15, 2008.

"We are committed to the photographic medium," said William E. Hunt, the museum's board chairman. "The establishment of the department of photography is a historic moment for Carnegie Museum of Art."

In her new position, Benedict-Jones will oversee the museum's collection of approximately 4,500 photographs and plan the department's exhibitions and acquisitions. Her first exhibition is scheduled to open in summer 2009.